New awards for Ipswich

PUT the negative side of Ipswich on hold and latch on to the positive with a new awards scheme being launched in the town today.

This invitation to join the search for who and what makes a difference to our community is being made by the Ipswich Partnership in conjunction with The Evening Star and it will be one of many new projects coming up.

The 94-member group is made up of cross section of people with a special interest in the town centre area – multiple retailers and small businesses, private individuals and members of the public.

In the three years since the Ipswich Partnership was set up it has gained in strength and come up with several projects which will be reviewed at this evening's annual membership meeting, said Paul Clement.

As head of the Ipswich Partnership, Mr Clement said when you ask people to say what they think of the town centre, frequently negative comments are made.

"There is much more to Ipswich than negative, and although we never brush negative to one side and deal with issues, this year ahead we will be looking for something and someone specifically positive.

"We have individuals who really made a difference to our community and we have businesses and organisations who make a positive difference too. Our search will be to find these people and places," Mr Clement added.

Although the scheme will be launched this evening full details of how nominations can be made and its various categories will be announced in The Evening Star over the coming weeks.

"This is one of ten or 11 different projects and we hope the awards scheme will be the first of what will become an annual event," added Mr Clement.

n Watch the Evening Star to find out all about this new award – who knows it could involve you or your business or organisation.